Willie Miller 'surprised and disappointed' to leave Aberdeen

Former Scotland captain Willie Miller admits he was “surprised and
disappointed” by his departure from Aberdeen.

Dons gone: Aberdeen have continued their summer restructuring with club legend Willie Miller the latest to leavePhoto: REUTERS

By Telegraph Sport

8:44PM BST 20 Jun 2012

The former Dons captain and manager was removed from his role as director of football by chairman Stewart Milne as the club announced a number of boardroom changes on Wednesday.

The 57 year-old said in a statement: “I am very surprised and disappointed at the chairman’s decision to end my association with the club.

“I leave with a heavy heart but would like to thank the club, the fans and all the staff for their support during my long association with the Dons.

“I would like to wish Craig [Brown] and Archie [Knox] and all the football staff and players good fortune for the new season.

“I must also extend my gratitude to all my development colleagues who helped put in place our successful youth development programme, which after eight years of tireless effort has produced a number of exciting talents now in the first team squad.

“These youngsters and the bright crop coming through are the future of the club.

“It goes without saying that I have enjoyed every minute of my time as a player, captain, manager and director of the club and I will now continue my association as a supporter and will continue to have the best interests of the club at heart.”

Meanwhile Newport County captain Gary Warren has joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a one-year contract.

The defender put pen to paper after arriving in the Highlands earlier this week and is now relishing the challenge of playing in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The 27 year-old said: “I’m thrilled the waiting is over and that I’ve finally signed for Caley Thistle.

“My girlfriend and I came up on Monday and were impressed by the city and the spectacular scenery.

“It has been good to talk things over with Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas about the preparations for the new season.

“The SPL is a thrilling new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to our opening game at St Mirren. And, of course, we’re at home to champions Celtic in the fourth game of the season.”